Device for sampling molten metal



Dec. 10, 1968 w. J'. COLLINS DEVICE FOR SAMPLING MOLTEN METAL 4Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 31, 1966 fifi .s m mm wc N. IJ

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ATTORNEY Dec. 10, 1968 w, J, COLUNS DEVICE FOR SAMPLING MOLTEN METAL 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 31, 1966 INVENTOR. W/LL/AM J. COLL/Ns BYQ 4 /WATTORNEY` InI Dec. 10, 1968 coLmNs DEVICE FOR SAMPLING MOLTEN METAL 4Sheets-Sheet I5 Filed Oct. 31. 1966 INVENTOR. W/LUAM J. COLLINS BY@Lg/ffy# ATTORNEY Dec. 10, 1968 w. J. COLLINS 3,415,124

DEVICE FOR SAMPLING MOLTEN METAL Filed Oct. 51, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 5f/G l j INVENTOR.

WILL/AM JCoLLuvs BM/e/ ATTORNEY United States Patent O ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A device for sampling molten metal. A particular moldcomprising two frangible and separable portions is enclosed at the endof a long handle. The sample when solidied is in a shape resembling alollipop.

This application is a continuation in part of my application Ser. No.391,654.

The subject invention relates generally to means utilized in conjunctionwith testing equipment and more particularly is directed to a devicewhich is adapted for use in obtaining a sample of molten metal from achamber for analysis.

The device may be employed wherever applicable and has proven veryecient and reliable in obtaining samples of molten metal for chemicalanalysis of all of its elements including the amount of gases, such asoxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen contained therein may be ascertained. Thesample may be obtained from any chamber such as an open hearth furnace,a basic oxygen vessel, electric furnace or related metal makingfacility. The sample obtained may also be tested to determine itsphysical characteristics.

With the foregoing in mind, one of the important objects of the subjectinvention is to provide a device whereby a representative sample of aliquid, such as molten metal, may be readily obtained so that a corrector accuarte analysis can be made, as distinguished from some procedureswhich fail to produce a representative sample for testing.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a deviceembodying improved principles of design and construction whereby thesample or specimen obtained by the device is deoxidized in order tocondition the specimen for analysis. More specifically in this respect,a quantity of a fusible element, such as aluminum and constitutingdeoxidizing means and a quantity of the specimen have been predeterminedor proportioned whereby the specimen is substantially completeddeoxidized.

A signicient object of the invention is to provide an improved methodwhereby the molten metal may be deoxidized or conditioned while it isbeing received by the device.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a device which,among other things, comprises an outer protective tubular housing; meansdisposed in the housing for receiving the molten metal; supportingmeans, such as a mass of earthen material, which surrounds and supportsthe receiving means in the housing; means communicatively connected withthe receiving means and providing an upper or escape chamber; meansproviding a lower entrance structure or chamber means communicating withthe receiving means, means disposed in relation to the entrancestructure for deoxidizing the molten metal prior to its entry into thereceiving means, the escape chamber affording a vent to permit releaseof air from the receiving means upon introduction of the molten metalthereto.

Another object is to provide means within the outer housing whichassists in stabilizing an upper extremity ICC of the supporting meansfor the receiving means, as well as in defining the upper or escapechamber.

A specific object of the invention is to provide means within the escapechamber whereby to retard or stop the flow of metal into this chamberwhile permitting release of the air therethrough.

Another object of the invention is to provide a setup in which the lowerentrance structure is preferably cornprised of a plurality of chambershaving partitions or walls therebetween which are respectively providedwith ports or apertures which are preferably so disposed that the moltenmetal, upon being successively received in the chambers will be causedto ilow in what may be termed a tortuous path in order to createturbulence and thereby promote mixing of the deoxidizing means with themolten metal prior to its introduction into the receiving means.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a lower chamberstructure which is preferably comprised of a plurality of nested metalcups which are preferably held together in a pressed sealed relationshipwith respect to one another and in sealed relationship to the receivmgmeans.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lower chamberstructure, receiving means and supporting means therefor, which areoperatively connected to provide a subassembly which may be installed inthe outer protective housing or support by merely pressing thesubassembly into place in such a manner that rim portions of the cupmembers will automatically force themselves into indenting relationshipwith the interior cylindrical surface of the outer housing, and therebylock the subassembly in the desired operation position therein.

Also, an important object of the subject invention is to provide adevice of the general character above referred to in which the lowerchamber structure is preferably provided with a cap which is connectedto the lowermost of the cup members of the chamber structure in order toprotect this lower cup which preferably carries the deoxidizing means.

A particular object of the invention is to provide means whereby toprotect at least a portion of the outer housing so as to prevent thehousing, if it is deteriorated during immersion in molten metal, fromcontaminating the Specimen adapted to be received by the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sampling devicewhereby an outer housing thereof is completely protected or shielded sothat the housing will not explode or cause contamination of the specimenwhen the device is dipped into molten metal.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a wand provided with asocket or lreceiving structure and the socket and an end of a samplingdevice are so designed and constructed that one end of the device may bereadily detachably held in the socket whereby to facilitate manipulationof the device and, at the same time, promote safety.

Another significant object of the subject invention is to provide animproved modied device for sampling meta-l in which the sizes, number,and/ or structural characteristics of certain of the components arerelatively less or different from those embodied in the devices aibovedescribed.

An important object is to provide such a device with a receiving meansor mould structure which embodies improved principles of design andconstruction whereby to accommodate molten metal in a unique manner.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a receivingmeans which is preferably comprised of a pair of corresponding halfsections which, when assembled, define a chamber for receiving the metalfor solidieation and a tubular passage through which theA metal entersthe chamber.

Also, an object is to design and construct the sections in a mannerwhereby to provide one or more openings or vents through which air orgas may escape when the molten metal enters the chamber.

A specific object of the invention is to provide improved means formaintaining the sections assembled, and means for supporting thesections and certain components operatively associated therewith.

Additional objects reside in providing a device which offers advantageswith respect to manufacture and assembly, efliciency, durability,safety, and destruction whereby to obtain access to the recoveredspecimen.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent afterthe description hereinafter set forth is considered in conjunction withthe drawings annexed hereto.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE l is a vertical sectional view of the device, with an end portionbroken away;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 2 2 ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 3-3 ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 4-4 ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a view showing a specimen recovered from the device;

FIGURE 6 is a view showing at least one mode of manipulating the devicefor use in obtaining a specimen from a vessel of molten metal, with onlya portion of the vessel being shown;

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal section of a modified form of device;

FIGURE 8 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 8 8 ofFIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a view showing a specimen obtained through the agency of thedevice;

AFIGURE 10 is a portion of the specimen illustrated in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a partial vertical sectional view of another modified formof sampling device;

FIGURE 12 is an elevational view of a further modi- `fied form ofsampling device;

FIGURE 13 is a partial view of a wand having a fitting, shown insection, for detachably receiving an end of the device depicted inFIGURE 12;

FIGURE 14 is substantially a vertical section of a modified and improveddevice;

FIGURE 15 is a horizontal or transverse sectional view takensubstantially on line 15-15 of FIGURE 15;

FIGURE 16 is an end view of a subassembly of certain components utilizedin the device shown in FIGURE 14;

FIGURE 17 is a side elevational view of the subassembly shown in FIGURE16; and

FIGURE 18 is a perspective view showing the resultant sample obtained byutilizing the device.

The device may be designed and constructed as exemplified in FIGURES 1through 6, as in FIGURES 7 through 10, FIGURES 11 through 13, FIGURES 14through 17 or in other ways as will be alluded to hereinafter. Thestructure illustrated in FIGURES l through 6 will now be described.

Referring particularly to FIGURE 1, the device preferably comprises anouter elongate cylindrical tubular housing or jacket 1, an innerelongate cylindrical tubular casing 2 surrounding a mass of insulatingmaterial 3, an elongate cylindrical tubular member 4 substantiallysurrounded and carried by the mass and having an upper end 5 extendingbeyond the mass, a cylindrical tubular part 6 having a lower extremitysurrounding an upper extremity of the casing 2 and an upper extremityextending therebeyond and about the end 5 of the member 4 to define arelief or escape chamber 7 which preferably contains a fibrous mass ofmaterial 3, and a socket 9 for detachably receiving an offset 10 of awand 11 whereby the device may be manipulated.

The device shown in FIGURE 1 also preferably includes a plurality ofstacked cups or members 1.2, 13, and 14, an end cap or cup 15, a mass ofhigh temperature cement 16` in the cup 12, and a fusible element 17carried by the cup 14. The aforesaid components or parts will bedescribed more in detail subsequently.

The outer housing l may be designed and constructed as desired but ispreferably made from heavy cardboard so as to provide a rigid unit forprotecting the inner structure substantially contained therein from thehigh temperature of the molten metal bath for a time sufficient toobtain the sample or specimen. This housing may be made in any size butpreferably has an outside diameter of two and one sixteenth of an inch,an inside diameter of one and five sixteenths of an inch to provide awall thickness of three eighths of an inch, and a length of thirty-fourinches. The aforesaid wall thickness has proven satisfactory in use andthe length in addition to affording sufficient space for the innerstructure, serves to provide the socket 9, above referred to, so that astandard or conventional one inch pipe, of which the wand 11 is made,may be readily and snugly detachably received in the socket whereby tofacilitate manipulation of the device. The wand is preferably of alength in the neighborhood of ten feet to promote safety in dipping ofthe device, for example, into a molten steel bath 18 contained in avessel 19, for penetration through a slag covering or layer 20 to adepth of about fifteen or twenty inches as depicted in FIGURE 6.

The tubular member 4 and mode of mounting or supporting the same willnow be described. This member may v be designed and constructed from anymaterial and in any shape suitable for the purpose and provides achamber or mold for receiving a quantity of the molten metal. Morespecifically, the member is preferably made from a glass known as Pyrexwhich will withstand high temperatures. The use of glass has provenparticularly advantageous because it can be readily broken to obtainaccess to the solidified sample following recovery. The length of themember may be varied depending on the type or character of sample orspecimen desired. The diameter of the member is preferably tenmillimeters or under in order to promote controlled cooling of thesample. The member may be internally tapered.

The glass tube 4 is preferably supported or imbedded in a diagonalposition in the mass of material 3 which serves to protect and impartstability to the tube as Well as support it within the confines of theouter ca ing 1. The mass 3 may be any material suitable for the purpose.Material, such as piaster of paris, has proven ver] satisfactory in useand in order to facilitate imbedrnent or moulding of the tube 4 in themass, the latter is preferably molded from a plastic or fiowablecondition into a solid within the confines of the cylindrical tubularcasing 2 as shown in the drawings.

The lower end of the casing 2 and the lower end of the glass tube 4 arepreferably secured and sealed into the uppermost cup 12 by utilizing themass of high temperature cement 16 which surrounds the lower ends of thetube and casing in such a manner that the end of the tube 4 extendsthrough an aperture or port Z2 provided in a bottom wall 23 of the cup12. This opening has an axis which is spaced from the center of thewall.

The cement 16 is preferably of a refractory character and offersprotection or insulation against the high ternperature of the moltenmetal and promotes its upward fiow in the tube 4, and the same isgenerally true of the mass 3. Otherwise expressed, the masses 3 and 16serve to insulate and protect the glass tube and constitute a meanswhereby to promote or encourage uniform cooling of the molten metal asit travels upwardly in the tube.

The cup 13 is preferably connected to the uppermost cup 12 by atelescoping pressed fit so that the cups 12 and 13 are positioned in anested sealing relationship and define a chamber 24, with the bottomwall 23 of the member 12 being disposed in axially spaced relationshipto a bottom wall 25 of the cup 13. The bottom wall 25 constitutes apartition provided with an aperture or port 26 having an axis disposedin a position spaced from its center.

The cup 14 is preferably adapted to be connected to the cup 13 in a modecorresponding to that connecting the cups 12 and 13 and it has a bottomwall 27 constituting a partition provided with an aperture or port 28having an axis disposed in a spaced relation to the center of this wall.The fusible means or element 17, above referred to, is preferably madeof aluminum and is preferably secured in the aperture 28 by a peening orupsetting operation. It will be observed that the bottom wall 27 of thecup 14 is disposed in axially spaced relationship to the wall 25 of thecup 13 and that these cups define a chamber 29.

The cap 15, above referred to, is also preferably made in the form of acup and is preferably adapted to be press fitted into nestingrelationship with the cup 14 and defines in combination therewith achamber 30. This cap is preferably made of metal of such a characterthat it will at least become partially disintegrated or ruptured whenimmersed in the molten metal. In order to facilitate attachment of thecap to the cup 14, the bottom wall of the cap is preferably providedwith a relatively small aperture 31 constituting a vent to prevent therelease of air from the chamber 30 when the cap 15 is pressed onto thecup.

Attention is directed to the fact that the glass tube 4 is secured in aninclined position in the mass 3; that the lower end of the glass tube 4and the opening 22 in the bottom wall 23 of the cup 12 are bothgenerally aligned with the opening 28 and the fusible means 17, and thatthe opening 26 in the bottom wall or partition 25 of the cup 13 isdisposed in a staggered or off-center position with respect to the axesof the openings 22 and 28 so that when the cap is disintegrated orotherwise ruptured by the molten metal, the latter will melt the element17 and thereby allow the metal to successively fiow in a tortuous paththrough the aperture 28 into the chamber 29, the aperture or port 26into the chamber 24 and thence upwardly into the glass tube 4 and outits upper end 5 into or against the fibrous mass or baffle 8. Theelement 17 serves to deoxidize the molten metal received in the tube orreceiving means 4 or that amount of metal which is expected to form thefinal specimen. It is believed that this deoxidation serves to promotehomogeneity. The metal is deoxidized in the chamber 29 and is mixed byturbulence in the chamber 24 prior to entry in the tube 4. Attention isalso directed to the fact that the cup members 12, 13, 14 and the cap 15constitute a fabricated lower chamber structure and that this structureincluding the casing 2, mass 3 and glass tube 4 are all connectedtogether to preferably provide a subassembly or unit which is adapted tobe pressed into connection with the outer housing 1 of the device, Morespecifically in this regard, the unit or subassembly is adapted to bepressed into the housing in such a manner that sharp edges of rims 31formed on the cups 12, 13, and 14 will automatically bite or indentthemselves into the material defining the internal cylindrical surfaceof the housing to lock the subassembly in a desired operative positionas exemplified in FIGURE l of the drawings. rl`he cap 15' may beattached to the cup 14 before the subassembly or unit is pressed intoconnection with the housing as just described, but it is preferablyapplied to the cup 14 after the other components of the unit have beenmounted in the housing, Obviously, the unit may be secured or mounted inother ways. For example, it may be cemented in place.

Referring'now to the procedure in obtaining or recovering a specimen,the preferred method comprises plunging or dipping the device into themolten bath, through the layer of slag or impurities 20 so that thelower end of the device is below the layer as evidenced in FIGURE 6. Thelong wand 11 is utilized to manipulate the device and the device ispreferably held in the bath for a very brief period of time, forexample, a period of from three to ten seconds which causes the cap 15to be blown free, or otherwise disintegrate or rupture, due to theexpanding trapped air in the chamber 30, resulting from the enormoustemperature change from, for example, from seventy degrees totwenty-nine hundred degrees Fahrenheit of the metal bath. The cap andmass of cement 16 serve to momentarily insulate the interior of thedevice as it is being inserted into the molten metal and the capprotects the device against the premature admission of any slag and/lorany other surface impurities until the lower end of the device is wellbelow the layer 20. As the cup disintegrates or otherwise enables themolten metal t0 melt the element 17, the latter diffuses into the moltenmetal for deoxidizing the same and the two are mixed or conditioned asthey successively tortuously flow through the apertures or port 28,chamber 29, port 26 and chamber 24 into the glass tube 4. Deoxidationsubstantially Occurs in the chamber 29 and the mixing substantially inthe chamber 24, although some mixing does occur in the chamber 29 priorto entry of the metal into the chamber. The metal thus treated,conditioned or deoxidized flows upwardly through the tube and againstthe fibrous or bafiie means 8 in the upper chamber 7, allowing air topass through the fibrous means while substantially preventing any greatquantity of metal to flow into the chamber. After a few seconds or asufficient time interval has elapsed in order to permit filling of thetube 4, the device is quickly lifted from the bath of molten metal andthen may be subjected to a cooling medium, such as cold water, a blastof cool air or it may be placed on a work bench and allowed to cool. Inany event, the specimen retrieved from the molten bath is not utilizeduntil after it has solidified and cooled to such an extent that it canbe operated on for analysis. It is desirable that the analysis of thespecimen be obtained expeditiously so that it may be quickly analyzed inorder to determine or ascertain Whether the molten metal is in accordwith predetermined specifications or requirements. If, for example, thespecimen indicates that the molten metal is not of the characterdesired, then the metal in the vessel 19 may be -modified or changed. Insome instances, it may become necessary to obtain ymore than one sampleor specimen of the molten metal before the latter is brought up to arequired standard.

The device, upon being subjected to the molten metal, is damaged to theextent that at least a portion of the outer housing is burned away,charred or disintegrated so that, in some instances, a portion of themass of material disposed about the glass tube may be visible. Also, thecap 15, in some instances, may be completely disintegrated into themolten metal and in other instances, a portion of the cap may stillremain attached to the cup 14. Moreover, in some instances, portions ofthe cups 13 and 14 may disintegrate. In other words, the disintegrationor destruction of various components of the device is dependent to theirdesign and construction, the temperature of the molten metal, and thetime that the device is held in the latter.

After the device is removed from the molten bath, the outer housing iscut or otherwise broken apart to obtain the subassembly, after which thetubular part 6, fibrous i Imaterial 8, mass 3, tube 4, cement 16 andcups 13 and formed within the confines of the glass tube is preferablyutilized after the end portions 33, 34 and 35 are removed as indicatedby the dotted lines.

he modified form of device exemplified in FIGURES 7 through 10 of thedrawing will now be described. This device, except for an upper part orextremity of the subassembly, substantially corresponds to the deviceillustrated in FIGURES l through 6 of the drawing.

More particularly, the modified form of device includes an outer housing50, tubular casing 51, a ymass 53 and a glass tube 54 whichsubstantially respectively correspond to the outer housing 1, tubularcasing 2, mass 3 and glass tube 4 of the first-described device. Also,the modified device includes a tubular part 55, a brous means or bafiie56 and a socket 57 which more or less correspond to the tubular part 6,fibrous means S and socket S of the first- `escribed device. Moreover,the modified device includes a mass of high temperature cement 58, cupmembers 59, 60, 61 and a cap 62 which substantially respectivelycorrespond to the high temperature cement 16, cups 12, 13, 14 and thecap 15 of the first-described device. The cap 62 is preferably providedwith a small aperture 62 which serves the same purpose as the aperture31 in the firstdescribed device.

The primary difference between the modified device and the one firstdescribed, as alluded to above, resides in the upper extremity or partof the subassembly or unit which is mounted in the outer housing. Morespecifically in this respect, it will be observed that the tubularcasing 51, containing the masses 53 and 58, is preferably made somewhatlonger than the casing 2 in the first-described device and that thetubular part is inset with respect to the upper end of the casing 51. Itwill also be noted that a mass of cement 63 is disposed in the upper endof the tubular casing 51 and surrounds an upper end g of the glass tube54 and that a small box-like structure 64 is also disposed in thistubular casing 51 and has an inner end which is preferably secured inplace by the cement so that the interior or a chamber 65 of thestructure is communicatively connected with the tube 54. The structure64 may be designed and constructed in various ways and its inner end maybe open before sealing by the cement, or it may have an inner end wallprovided with an aperture for receiving the end of the glass tube. Also,it will be observed that the structure 64 has a top wall 66 providedwith a plurality of holes 67. The chamber 65 is substantially air tightexcept for the holes 67 and serves as an escape or relief for any airthat flows upwardly as the molten metal rises in the glass tube 54. Itwill be further observed that the mass of fibrous material 56, which maybe steel wool, is disposed in the tubular casing 51 and bears againstthe upper or outer end wall 66 of the structure 64 as clearly shown. Theair may escape through the apertures 67 into the fibrous material forventing the chamber 65 when the molten metal is received in the latterfrom the glass tube 54. The tubular casing 51 provides a chamber for thecement 63, structure 64 and the fibrous material 56. The structure 64 ispreferably of a size so that four of its corners may more or less engagean inner cylindrical peripheral surface of the casing as depicted inFIGURE 8.

The specimen obtained by using the modified device is preferably of thecharacter exemplified in FIGURE 9 of the drawing. More specifically inthis respect, the Sample includes an elongate cylindrical portion 68having an upper enlarged integral portion 69 conforming in shape to thatof the chamber 65 and enlarged portions 70 and 71 conforming to thecharacter of chambers formed by the cup members 60 and 61. Any portionof the specimen may be utilized for analysis. For example, the elongatecylindrical portion 68 may be used or, if desired, the enlarged portion69 may be removed from the portion 68 for analysis, as shown in FIGURE10.

In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that two different deviceshave been exemplied for the purpose of lli 8 facilitating the removal ofspecimens or samples of molten metal for chemical analysis or any othercharacter of analysis desired. The devices have proven very successfulin obtaining substantially pure specimens of molten metal and have beenaccepted by the industry.

Referring now to the modified sampling device illustrated in FIGURE l1of the drawing, attention is directed to the fact that the devicesubstantially corresponds to the two forms above described and includesadditional means preferably in a form of a sleeve or ferrule 100. Moreparticularly, the device illustrated in FIGURE 1l includes all of thecomponents or parts of the device shown in FIGURE l, including a tubularhousing 101, cups 102, 103, 104, and cap 105. The ferrule preferablyincludes a cylindrical portion provided with a flanged edge portion 106and an end wall 107 having an opening therein whereby to accommodate thecup 104. The opening in the end wall 107 of the ferrule is preferablyflanged as indicated at 108. 'Ihe arrangement is preferably such thatwhen the inner structure of the sampling device, including the cups aremounted in the housing 101, the ferrule is press fitted onto the housing101 so that the end wall 107 of the ferrule will engage an annular endsurface 109 of the housing. The ange 106 of the ferrule serves tofacilitate the accommodation of the lower end of the housing into theferrule.

Attention is directed to the fact that the flange 108 is preferably ofsuch a character that when the ferrule is pressed onto the housing, theflange will intimately engage the outer periphery of the cup 104.

Attention is further directed to the fact that after the ferrule ismounted on the housing, the cap is then preferably press fitted onto thecup 104 so that an annular bead 110 on the cap will inimately engage theouter periphery 0f the cup 104 as well as the ange 108 on the ferrule.With this unique organization, a multiplicity of sealed connections ortits are established whereby to protect or shield an end portion of thehousing 101 so that such portion is protected against deterioration bythe molten metal and thereby prevent contamination of the specimen. Inother words, the ferrule serves to prevent any charred or fibrousmaterial which might break away from the housing from contaminating thespecimen as it enters the tube of the inner structure of the device.

The structure illustrated in FIGURES 12 and 13 includes a devicegenerally designated 200 and a wand 201 provided with a fitting 202having a socket 203 therein which receives an end of the device.Detachability between the device and fitting may be accomplished invarious ways but, as illustrated in FIGURE 12, for example, an internalannular surface of the socket 203 is provided with a depression orannular groove 204 which is adapted to detachably receive a detent 205projecting laterally from a split cylindrical portion of a cylindricalsleeve 206 surrounding a housing 207. The internal structure of thesampling device, includes cups 208, 209, 210, and a cap 211. It will benoted that the cups are all located externally of the housing asdistinguished from the organization above described. It will also beobserved that the sleeve 206 is of an appreciable length or at least ofa length which is sufficient to preferably receive all of the innercomponents of the sampling device, including a portion of the cup 210.This sleeve serves the same purpose as the ferrule or sleeve 100utilized in conjunction with the device shown in FIGURE 11, but is moreinclusive insofar as affording a complete shield or guard for confiningand protecting the internal structure of the sampling device.

Attention is directed to the fact that the housing 207 may beconstructed of any material desired. For example, it may be made of aceramic or earthen material or of fiber such as cardboard. In any event,the sleeve 206 serves to protect the inner structure and particularlythe housing 207 so that the latter will not contaminate the specimen tobe recovered by the device. Moreover, the sleeve 206 serves to protect aworker because, in some instances, the outer housing 207 when notconfined, explodes or distintegrates and causes the molten metal tosplash and effect serious injuries. The use of the sleeve prevents theforegoing from happening and an extremely long wand, such as, 201, alsoassists in keeping the device away from the worker while in the act ofrecovering a specimen of the molten metal.

The sleeve is preferably adapted to be press fitted into telescopingrelation with the housing 20'7 so that an inturned marginal edge portion212 of the sleeve will intimately engage an outer peripheral surface ofthe cup 210, after which the cap 211 is preferably press fitted onto thecup 210 so that an annular bead 213 of the cap will intimately engagethe edge portion 212 of the sleeve, the purpose of which is to more orless provide a double seal between the sleeve 206 and the cup 210.

The modified sampling device as exemplified in the FIGURES 14 and l5 ofthe drawings, except for variations in the relative sizes and in areduction in the number of certain components utilized, substantiallycorresponds to those devices previously described.

The de-vice generally designated at 300 shown in FIG- URE 14 excludes,for example, the part 6 and mass 8 illustrated in FIGURES l through 6.More specifically, the device 300 includes an outer jacket or tubularhousing 301, constructed of some desirable material such as heavycardboard, corresponding to the jacket 1 in FIGURE 1 and a pluality ofcups 302, 303, 304, 305 which are constructed, operatively connected andsupported for the same purpose as the corresponding cups shown in FIG-URE l.

The bottom wall of the innermost cup 302 is provided with an aperture306, the bottom wall of the cup 303 with an aperture 307, and the bottomwall of the cup 304 with an aperture 308 in which is secured a fusibleor meltable element 309. It will be observed that aperture 307 is offsetwith respect to a line extending through the axes of the apertures 306and 308, cup 302 by a mass of high temperature cement 311. An inner tube312 having a diameter less and a length greater than the tube 310 has alower extremity lirmly secured by the cement in the tube 310 and cup 302and against the bottom wall of the latter in general alignment with theaperture 306. In practice these tubes 310 and 312 are constructed fromcardboard, but it is to be understood that any material suitable forthis purpose may be utilized. It will be observe-d that inner portionsof the tube 310 and the mass 31.1 project inwardly beyond the continesof the cup 302 whereby to lend support for the tube 312 and associatedcomponents which will now be described.

The device 300 further includes a receiving means or mold structure,generally designated 313, preferably of powdered metal, and an innertube 314 preferably constructed from Pyrex glass. It is to be understoodthat any materials which will withstand high temperatures may beuilized.

The receiving means or mold structure 313 may be designe-d andconstructed in various ways but as exemplified in FIGURES 14 through 17,it is preferably comprised of a pair of half or complementary sections315 and 316. The tube 312, above referred to, constitutes means formaintaining or holding the sections assembled. Each of the sectionspreferably includes a relatively large annular portion having a bottomwall 317 and side wall structure 318 which define a pocket or recess319. Each section also preferably includes an integral radial or taperedlateral continuation 320 provided with a semicylindrical groove 321extending throughout the length of the continuation. Attention isdirected to the fact that continuations have opposed longitudinallyextending planar edges 322 and that the inner ends of the groove areprovided with abutments 323.

The end surface of each of the wall structures of the sections is planaras indicated at 324 and interrupted by a pair of diametrically disposedprojections 325 and a pair of diametrically disposed notches or recesses326 the latter of which are circumferentially spaced apart from theprojections. The receiving means lor mold structure 313 is preferably sodesigned and constructed that when the sections are correctly held inassembled relation by the tube 312 which is telescoped into a snugsurrounding relationship with the tapered continuations 320, the opposedplanar surfaces 322 of the continuations will be held in intimatebearing relationship and the projections 325 will be disposed inintertitting or interlocking relationship with the notches 326 wherebyto mantain the marginal end surfaces 324 of the wall structures of thesections in a predetermined spaced parallel relationship so thatpreferably a plurality of three circumferentially spaced arcuate ventsor openings 327 are provided through which a tiuid such as gas or airmay escape when the molten metal is received in the mold structure.

Experimentation and testing has proven that the optimum gap, spacing, orsize of the vents or openings should be within a range of .010" to .015for sampling basic oxygen processed steels due to their highertemperatures. More particularly in this respect, it was initiallybelieved that no vent openings were essential on the basis that the heatof the molten metal would cause the mold sections to separate andrelease the trapped gases. However, failures did occur in practice sotests were conducted which proved that the size of the vent or vents wascritical. lt was discovered that a relatively small vent or a narrow gapbetween the large portions of the sections caused back pressure andrestrained the molten metal from entering and completely filling thereceiving means or mold cavity. lt was further discovered that a vent ofrelatively large size or an excessive gap between the large portions ofthe sections caused the molten metal to bleed through the vent and sealthe sections together thereby resulting in obtaining a porous testsample of poor quality. Further, exhaustive tests support the conclusionthat a gap between opposed surfaces of the large portions of thesections within a range of between .010 to .015 is the most efiicientinsofar as sampling basic oxygen processed steels in view of theirhigher temperatures.

Attention is directed to the fact that the pr-ojections and notchesconstitute means which assist in assembling, locating, aligning, orplacing the sections in registry; that the pockets 319, in combination,define a chamber 328 which finally receives the molten metal; that thelongitudinal grooves 321 in the continuations, in combination, define atubular formation or socket which snugly receives one extremity of theglass tube 314 which engages the abutments 323 for limiting inwardmovement of the tube; and that the lower extremity of the glass tubeextends beyond the continuations and through the aperture 306 in the cup302, and is secured in place by the surrounding cement 311 in the tube312. It will be apparent that the tube 312 is also iirmly anchored inplace by the cement 311; that the cement within the contines of the tube312 assists in sealing and securing the glass tube in the socket, theinner ends of the continuations together and the glass tube in theaperture 306 so that the molten metal will flow only through the glasstube prior to reception in the chamber 328 of the receiving means 313.It will be observed that the longitudinal axes of the receiving means313, glass tube 314 and tube 312 are coincidental and inclined withrespect to the longitudinal axis yof the outer jacket 301. It is to beunderstood that the -device may be made in which the afore- -mentionedaxes may be in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the jacket orparallel thereto,

The device has proven most eflicient in use in obtaining a precisioncast circular disc 329 attached to a l0 mm.

diameter stem 330 as exemplified in FIGURE 18. Due to the circular shapeof the disc, the sample is unilaterally cooled, promoting an equiaxillarcolumnar grain structure which is beneficial to chemical and physicalanalyses. Further, the shape and thickness of the disc-like portion 329of the sample and its resultant structural characteristics offers asetup for spectographic analysis in addition to those just referred to.Moreover, the stem of the device has been designed and constructed forgas analysis. The material and mass of the mold determine the coolingcharacteristics of the resultant cast sample.

After the sample more or less in a lollypop form has been cast, certainof the various components such as the sections 315 and 316, glass tube314 may be readily separated, disintegrated, or broken apart so as toobtain the sample structure exemplified in FIGURE 18 after which thatportion 331 illustrated in dotted lines may be removed so that theremainder of the lollypop like sample may be subjected for analyses asabove described.

In view of the foregoing, it should be manifest that the structureillustrated in FIGURES 14 through 17, among other things, comprises anouter jacket or housing 301; an inner tube 314 which is supported by amass of material 311 which is highly resistant to heat deterioration;that the means 313 is disposed within the confines of the housing7 andis provided with a chamber 328 which communicatively connects with theupper end of the tube 314; that means which may comprise one or more ofthe cups 302, 303, 304 provide at least a second chamber whichcommunicatively connects with the lower end of the tube 314 forinitially receiving a liquid for transmission into said tube and thechamber 328; and that means, such as the fusible element 309, serves tocondition the fluid in the second chamber prior to its reception intothe tube 314.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousmodifications may be made in the same without departing from the spiritof the invention and, therefore, I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact forms, constructions, arrangements, andcombinations of parts herein shown and described.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a protective outerhousing, an inner tube disposed in said housing, a mass of materialhighly resistant to heat deterioration disposed in said housing andsupporting said inner tube, a pair of frangible means disposed withinthe confines of said housing providing an upper chamber communicativelyconnected with an upper end of said inner tube, and means defining asecond chamber communicatively connected with a lower end of said innertube for initially receiving a liquid for transmission into said tubeand upper chamber.

2. A device of the character described comprising a protective outerhousing, an inner tube disposed in said housing, a mass of materialhighly resistant to heat deterioration disposed in said housing andsupporting said inner tube, means comprising a pair of complementaryrecessed frangible sections disposed within the confines of said housingproviding an upper chamber communicatively connected with an upper endof said inner tube, and means defining a second chamber communicativelyconnected with a lower end of said inner tube for initially receiving aliquid for transmission into said tube and upper chamber.

3. A subassembly adapted for mounting in an outer tubular housing, saidsubassembly comprising a first cup having a bottom wall provided with anaperture, a second cup connected to said first cup defining incombination therewith a first chamber and having a bottom Wall providedwith an opening, a third cup connected to said second cup defining incombination therewith a second chamber and having a bottom wall providedwith an opening, a fusible element secured in said opening of said thirdcup, an elongate tube having an end disposed in said first cup, a massof material disposed in said first cup and about a lower end of saidtube for securing this end in relation to said aperture, said tubehaving an upper end extending beyond said mass, and a pair ofcomplementary frangible sections disposed about said upper end of saidtube and defining a vented chamber communicating with said upper end ofsaid tube.

4. A device of the kind described comprising an outer elongate housing,structure comprised of a plurality of walls defining a plurality ofcommunicatively connected chambers, at least a portion of said structurebeing disposed in said housing, elongate tubular means disposed in saidhousing, means supporting said tubular means so that one end of thelatter is communicatively connected with said chambers, a pair ofmembers carried by said tubular means disposed in said housing anddefining a chamber communicatively connected with an opposite end ofsaid tubular means, means for securing and supporting said memberstogether in relation to said opposite end of said tubular means, andsaid chamber being provided with a vent.

5. A subassembly for use with a fiuid sampling device, said assemblycomprising a cup having a bottom wall provided with an aperture,elongate tubular means resistant to extremely high temperatures having alower end disposed in said cup, a mass of material disposed in said cupand about said tubular means maintaining said tubular member and cupassembled and said lower end communicatively connected to said aperture,a pair of members defining a chamber communicatively connected to andcarried by an upper end of said tubular means, and said chamber beingprovided with a vent.

v6. A subassembly for the purpose described comprising a pair offrangible half sections, each of said sections including a large portionprovided with a pocket and a lateral continuation provided with alongitudinal groove, means substantially surrounding said sections formaintaining said sections assembled Whereby said pockets in combinationdefine a chamber and said grooves define a tubular formationcommunicating with said chamber.

7. The subassembly defined in claim 6, in which said chamber is providedwith one or more vents.

8. The subassembly defined in claim 6, in which said lateralcontinuations are provided with opposed surfaces which are intimatelyengaged throughout at least the major portions of their lengths and saidlarge portions are provided with opposed spaced surfaces which define avent through which a fiuid may escape from said chamber.

9. The subassembly dened in claim 6, in which said large portions ofsaid sections are provided with means whereby to facilitate registry andassembly of said sections and maintain at least a pair of opposedsurfaces of said large portions in spaced relationship to define a ventthrough which a fiuid may escape from said chamber.

10. The subassembly defined in claim 6, including elongate tubular meanshaving one end secured in said tubular formation.

11. The subassembly defined in claim 6, in which said large portions ofsaid sections are provided with mating notches and projections formaintaining surfaces of said sections in spaced relation to define avent for said charnber.

12. The subassembly defined in claim 6, in which at least one of saidlateral continuations is provided with an internal abutment, andelongate tube has one end disposed in said tubular formation and inengagement with said abutment.

13. An assembly comprising a cup having a bottom wall provided with anaperture, tubular means disposed in said cup, an elongate tube having alower end disposed in said tubular means, a mass of material disposed insaid cup and about said tubular means and said tube for fixedly securingsaid tubular means and said tube in said cup with said lower end of saidtube in communication with said aperture, a pair of members secured toan upper end of said tube and defining a chamber communicating with saidtube, and said chamber being provided with a vent.

14. The assembly defined in claim 13, in which said members are providedwith mating notches and projections whereby to facilitate assembly ofsaid members and provide a gap constituting said vent.

15. An assembly comprising a cup having a bottom wall provided with anaperture, an elongate tube having a lower end disposed in said cup, amass of material disposed in said cup and about said tube for fixedlysecuring said tube in said cup with its lower end in communication withsaid aperture, a pair of members connected to an upper end of said tu'beand dening a chamber communieating with said tube, said members having apair of opposed surfaces defining a vent having a cross-dimensionbetween .010 and .015.

16. The assembly delined in claim 15 in which the inside diameter ofsaid tube is 10 mm.

17. A molded article comprising a head having a predetermined thickness,an elongate stem extending from said head and having a longitudinal axisdisposed between opposite faces of said head, and an enlarged portionintegral with said stem and disposed in a plane perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of said stem and being severable therefrom, and abreakable sheath of nonmetallic material surrounding said stem.

18. A device of the kind desc-ribed, said device comprising a housing, apair of frangible means highly resistant to heat carried by a lower partof said housing and forming a chamber and an entrance through which ahot liquid may ente-r the chamber, means for supporting and holding saidfrangible means assembled, and said housing being provided with meansfor attaching a handle thereto to facilitate dipping the device into aliquid.

References Cited OTHER REFERENCES Bassett et al.7 Open HearthProceedings, 1956, AIME, New York. 73/425.6.

S. CLEMENT SWISHER, Acting Primary Examiner.

